As a college student who will soon be out in the workforce I am trying to find more pieces that are versatile. Azmara's line has been exactly what I have been searching for, and I'm really excited to share this interview with you all.

Azmara Asefa

Azmara's line is called Apocalypse Ready and marries her love for fashion and architecture beautifully. She used CAD software, 3D printing, and laser cut designs to create her gorgeous line of clothing for the modern woman. Her line is perfect for the office and looks great after hours as well.

Last month between classes my friend and I took a trip to the mall to get something other than the few lunch options available on campus. We decided to stop into Lush. If you have been reading my blog for a bit you may remember that I used to work at Lush. Last year I worked there as a holiday hire. Although it was a temporary position, I really enjoyed that job and continue to use what I learned there when purchasing and blogging about cruelty free products.

While I was at Lush I ran into a former coworker of mine. I was looking at some of the newer products and I had her tell me a bit about the new toothy tabs and powders. I decided to pick up Ultrablast, which is a tooth powder that contains spearmint, lavender. peppermint, and wasabi. I thought the wasabi was going to be really weird but Ultrablast is very refreshing. Ultrablast comes in a clear pot (much like the traditional black pots) you simply dampen your toothbrush, dip it in the powder and brush!

Last month I received my first tattoo at Hustler's Parlour in Brooklyn, NY. I received Hustle Butter Deluxe to use as I went through the healing process.

Artificial ingredients just don't have a place in my routine, not when natural products can really do wonders for my skin. As well as being cruelty free Hustle Butter is made with natural ingredients like Shea, Mango Butter, and lots of essential oils. This not only makes the product smell amazing, but it's also super effective. I love products formulated with essential oils, since they always seem to do the job.

I came across an interesting email in my inbox this week, the subject line read 'Keep Skin Hydrated While the Seasons Change'. As someone who has been crafting their own skincare routine for years this immediately drew me in. As it's been getting chillier in New York I have switched out my moisturizers for the heavy hitters, and have really been delving into the coconut oil jar.

Invo Coconut Water is a great way to hydrate from the inside out. I'll be honest, as much as I love coconut I have never been a huge fan of coconut water. After trying Invo that opinion has changed. Invo, in my opinion, is the most pure tasting coconut water I have tried and it doesn't contain any coconut bits.

Derma E is a brand I have followed for some time now thanks to Thrive Market; which is where I often discover and purchase new cruelty free products. Derma E is currently rebranding, and with that have redesigned their packaging, giving it a fresh new look. The new design will begin shipping to stores like Ulta, CVS, and Whole Foods by March of 2017. Derma E gave me a chance to test their hydrating line of moisturizers as well as get an exclusive look at their new image to share with my readers.

About Me

'A Cruelty Free Me' (formerly Simply Luxe) started in 2015. As a communications student I was required to take a course in public speaking and decided to inform my class about laboratory testing for my informative speech.
After giving the presentation, I began to realize how difficult it can sometimes be to find alternatives to the every day products that I didn't previously know were tested on animals. I decided to challenge myself to find the best alternatives to products I used previous to learning about animal testing. This blog is my space to review and share those finds.
'A Cruelty Free Me' includes posts about cruelty free skincare, makeup, and haircare, as well as fitness related content.